Listen and download a recording of this song from Bandcamp:
Now May the God of Peace A prayer for sanctification in the fight against sin
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Lord, I desire Your will My heart yearns to obey Though daily I am faced with sin Enticing me away
So, help me rise each day Battle and war with sin I long to see You face to face And final vict’ry win
Lord, You have so designed This fight with sin in me That as I struggle, watch and pray I learn humility
So, help me to obey Holiness to pursue Deepen repentance when I fail Strengthen my faith in You
I rest within the hope Your Spirit dwells in me Completing that which was begun So holy I may be
Now may the God of Peace Sanctify me wholly And keep me blameless ‘til the day Christ comes in victory
Life is filled with many perplexing realities. It seems all too brief. It is tainted by sin. It is marred with suffering. Along with joy, there is sorrow. Contentment is ever being challenged with longing.
We know that God is good and always does good. He created both time and space as a canvas to display His glory. He made the heavens and the earth and declared them to be “very good” (Genesis 1:31). He crafted the world with beauty and wonder.
Yet, as we look at the world around us, we see trials and troubles. We experience sorrow and pain. We know that God is not the author of sin, but why would He allow sin and suffering to enter His “very good” creation? How could the presence of evil (and its final defeat) possibly bring about, in God’s design and purpose, the fullness of His glory and our greatest good?
This hymn wrestles with such questions and points toward a vital truth. This world is not all there is. This life is fleeting. We were made for much more. We were made for glory.
Listen and download a recording of “Made for Glory” from Bandcamp:
Made for Glory
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
We journey through this life As pilgrims here on earth; Some live for years, some weeks or days, Some never see their birth. But when our journey ends, Our moments, days, or years Will all seem like a vapor when God wipes away our tears.
How short the time we have, How briefly we exist. Compared to all eternity, This life’s a fleeting mist. For glory we were made An everlasting soul, Not just the time this life affords With bodies that grow old.
Why is our time so short And stained with sin and strife? How could a loving God allow Such suff’ring in this life? In kindness God keeps short Our sorrows in this place, Yet through our pain and suffering We come to know His grace
As time moves quickly on, We must not waste a day, But bring our broken, sinful lives To Christ without delay. In Him each day find rest, Refreshment for the soul. For through His suff’ring we are healed, Forgiven, and made whole.
Though heartaches overwhelm And fill our souls with grief, Remember we are sojourners, Our journey will be brief. In glory one day soon We will look back and say: Our faithful God has brought us home, Our tears He’s wiped away
Yes, one day we will be In glory and can say: Our faithful God, He’s brought us home, Our tears He’s wiped away.
Often in this life we face circumstances that make no sense. Difficulties arise that we don’t expect. Trials come our way that overwhelm our thoughts. Friendships, jobs, ministries, vocations—in which we’ve invested our time and efforts—can vanish. In such times, we need to remember to trust God and acknowledge Him. Though we don’t understand why we must walk through such troubles, we can look to God and know He will guide us. God’s Word tells us:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5–6)
God is sovereign and wise. He understands all things and directs all things according to His will. Though we may not understand, we are exhorted to rest our faith in Him (trust in the Lord) and give Him praise (acknowledge Him). Though we may not see the pathway ahead, we are urged to trust Him completely (with all your heart) and praise Him always—in times of sorrow and pain as well as in times of joy (in all your ways).
God is accomplishing and completing His perfect plan. He is at work in ways that are beyond our thoughts and far above our prayers.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8–9)
The following song is a reminder to trust God and give Him praise, even when life doesn’t make sense. We cannot comprehend all He is doing in us and around us. We often don’t know what to think, what to say, and how to pray. But our God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.” His ways are sure. His Word is true. We need only watch with eyes of faith. Behold! His perfect plan will indeed unfold.
Listen and download a recording of this song from Bandcamp:
He Does All Things Well
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20–21).
God is faithful, God is near. He’ll not leave you, So do not fear.
All around you, Everyday, He is working, So watch and pray.
With eyes of faith, Look around, behold. His perfect plan Will indeed unfold. Far beyond our thoughts, More than we can tell, Far above our prayers, He does all things well.
God is sovereign, God is wise. Don’t be downcast, Just lift your eyes.
All that happens Serves His will, Even hard things, So trust Him still.
With eyes of faith, Look around, behold. His perfect plan Will indeed unfold. Far beyond our thoughts, More than we can tell, Far above our prayers, He does all things well.
When the changes comes, He knows what is best. When you’re beaten down, He will give you rest.
When you’re tossed and turned, He’ll steadfast remain. When the wound is deep, He will heal your pain.
When the door is closed, He will show the way. When the path grows dark, He shines bright as day.
With eyes of faith, Look around, behold. His perfect plan Will indeed unfold. Far beyond our thoughts, More than we can tell, Far above our prayers, He does all things well.
Yes, wait and see What the Lord will do. His ways are sure And His Word is true. Far beyond our thoughts, More than we can tell, Far above our prayers, He does all things well.
O give thanks to the Lord for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 118:1)
Below is a list of psalm settings, hymns, and spiritual songs that focus on giving thanks to the Lord.
If you have additional suggestions for songs related to thanksgiving that should be included in the index, please comment or send me a message.
Note: The songs are listed below by title and author. For more complete entries (including tunes and hymnal page numbers) see the page for Songs and Thanksgiving in the Theological Index of Music for Worship online. I will be updating the online Index with more songs and topics in the days ahead as I receive recommendations.
Songs and Thanksgiving
1. It is good to give thanks to the Lord
All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
How Good It Is to Thank the Lord—Psalm 92:1–9, 12–15 (The Psalter, 1912)
It Is Good to Sing Your Praises (The New Metrical Version of the Psalms, 1909)
2. All people should praise and thank the Lord
All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis)
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart (Edward Plumptre)
3. Give thanks for who God is
10,000 Reasons – Bless the Lord (Jonas Myrin / Matt Redman)
All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
Be Exalted, O God—Psalm 57:9–11 (Brent Chambers)
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Robert Robinson)
For the Beauty of the Earth (Folliott Pierpoint)
Forever (Chris Tomlin)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Thomas O. Chisholm)
How Good It Is to Thank the Lord—Psalm 92:1–9, 12–15 (The Psalter, 1912)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis)
Let Us with a Gladsome Mind—Psalm 136 (John Milton)
My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness (Stuart Townend / Keith Getty)
Now Thank We All Our God (Martin Rinkert / Catherine Winkworth)
Rejoice, the Lord Is King (Charles Wesley)
With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring—Psalm 138 (The Psalter, 1912)
4. Give thanks for life and daily provision
All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (Henry Alford)
For the Beauty of the Earth (Folliott Pierpoint)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Thomas O. Chisholm)
It Is Good to Sing Your Praises (The New Metrical Version of the Psalms, 1909)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis)
Let Us with a Gladsome Mind—Psalm 136 (John Milton)
My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness (Stuart Townend / Keith Getty)
Now Thank We All Our God (Martin Rinkert / Catherine Winkworth)
5. Give thanks for salvation and eternal life
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Robert Robinson)
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (Henry Alford)
Father I Thank You (Jeremy & Adrienne Camp, David & Natalie Leonard)
Forever (Chris Tomlin)
Give Thanks (Henry Smith)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Thomas O. Chisholm)
Jesus Thank You (Pat Sczebel)
My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness (Stuart Townend / Keith Getty)
Rejoice, the Lord Is King (Charles Wesley)
Thank You, Lord (Seth and Bessie Skies)
There Is a Redeemer (Melody Green)
With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring—Psalm 138 (The Psalter, 1912)
Worthy Is the Lamb (Darlene Zschech)
6. Begin each day with thanksgiving
10,000 Reasons – Bless the Lord (Jonas Myrin / Matt Redman)
How Good It Is to Thank the Lord—Psalm 92:1–9, 12–15 (The Psalter, 1912)
It Is Good to Sing Your Praises (The New Metrical Version of the Psalms, 1909)
7. Conclude each day with thanksgiving
10,000 Reasons – Bless the Lord (Jonas Myrin / Matt Redman)
A Prayer for God’s Presence (Ken Puls)
How Good It Is to Thank the Lord—Psalm 92:1–9, 12–15 (The Psalter, 1912)
It Is Good to Sing Your Praises (The New Metrical Version of the Psalms, 1909)
8. Give thanks to the Lord in gathered worship (with the church)
We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise (Kirk C. Dearman)
We Gather Together (Adrianas Valerius, Theodore Baker)
We Give Thanks (Drew Hodge)
With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring—Psalm 138 (The Psalter, 1912)
9. Give thanks to the Lord before a watching world
Be Exalted, O God—Psalm 57:9–11 (Brent Chambers)
With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring—Psalm 138 (The Psalter, 1912)
10. Give thanks to the Lord with joy
All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
He Has Made Me Glad—Psalm 100:4 (Leona Von Brethorst)
How Good It Is to Thank the Lord—Psalm 92:1–9, 12–15 (The Psalter, 1912)
It Is Good to Sing Your Praises (The New Metrical Version of the Psalms, 1909)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis)
Now Thank We All Our God (Martin Rinkert / Catherine Winkworth)
Rejoice, the Lord Is King (Charles Wesley)
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart (Edward Plumptre)
We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise (Kirk C. Dearman)
11. Give thanks to the Lord even in times of trial and sorrow
Blessed Be Your Name (Matt & Beth Redman)
Count Your Blessings (Johnson Oatman, Jr.)
Father I Thank You (Jeremy & Adrienne Camp, David & Natalie Leonard)
Now Thank We All Our God (Martin Rinkert / Catherine Winkworth)
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart (Edward Plumptre)
With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring—Psalm 138 (The Psalter, 1912)
12. Give thanks to the Lord always
10,000 Reasons – Bless the Lord (Jonas Myrin / Matt Redman)
All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
Father I Thank You (Jeremy & Adrienne Camp, David & Natalie Leonard)
He Has Made Me Glad—Psalm 100:4 (Leona Von Brethorst)
For more complete entries (including tunes and hymnal page numbers) see the online Index:
2020 has been a difficult year! Along with many troubles in the world (COVID19, hurricanes, wildfires, political unrest, protests, …), it has included personal challenges: classes cancelled that I had hoped to teach over the summer, a car accident, and falling off a ladder. There have been many opportunities to be downcast and discouraged. But in and through every difficulty, there was always grace. It became increasingly evident that God’s kind hand was working all things for my good and His glory. His goodness was everywhere—in relationships, in encouragements, and in His constant provision.
This song is a testimony to God’s kindness in my life this year and a reminder to trust the Lord, even when, at least in the moment, we cannot understand why He would bring such trials into our lives. We need only look above and beyond the trials to see—
His unmistakable hand Is guiding all we do Clear evidence of His grace In all He’s brought us through Don’t ever doubt the path He’s set The journey He has planned With grateful eyes behold each day His unmistakable hand
Check out the Lyric Video on youtube:
Listen and download a recording of this song from Bandcamp:
His Unmistakable Hand
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5–8)
I find each day a thousand ways Your kindnesses abound In trials and in joys alike Your goodness can be found For You work all things for my good To You belongs all praise Safe in Your hand through ev’ry storm You care for me always
Your unmistakable hand Is guiding all I do Clear evidence of Your grace In all You’ve brought me through I cannot doubt the path You’ve set My journey You have planned So give me eyes each day to see Your unmistakable hand
God fully orchestrates each day I live and move and breathe He works His will when I rejoice As well as when I grieve No wasted pain or needless grief He stays my hand from sin He weans me from a dying world and draws me near again
His unmistakable hand Is guiding all I do Clear evidence of His grace In all He’s brought me through I cannot doubt the path He’s set My journey He has planned With grateful eyes each day I see His unmistakable hand
So trust the Lord with all your heart You need not understand Acknowledge Him in all your ways He’ll guide you with His hand Do not be wise in your own eyes Flee sin and fear the Lord This is the way to strength and health When you believe His Word.
His unmistakable hand Is guiding all we do Clear evidence of His grace In all He’s brought us through Don’t ever doubt the path He’s set The journey He has planned With grateful eyes behold each day His unmistakable hand
It is a great comfort that we can say, if we are in Christ, “My righteousness is in heaven.” When we put our faith and trust in Christ, God declares us to be righteous in Him. Our standing before God is no longer on the basis of our own righteousness. If it were, we would stand before God condemned by our sin. In Christ, our righteousness is Jesus Himself! We are justified by faith in Christ alone.
When we are justified, God imputes our sin to Jesus (He treats Jesus as if He had sinned and was guilty). “The wages of sin of death” (Romans 6:23a) and so Jesus died on the cross to pay the wages due our sin. He paid the price, so we are no longer condemned. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). But that is not all! God also imputes Christ’s righteousness to us (He treats us as if we had perfectly obeyed His Law). “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23b). In Christ we have life. We are clothed in His righteousness, accepted and beloved as sons and daughters, and brought near to God.
Here is rest for our souls! The measure of our righteousness is not our own feeble and often failing efforts, but the finished and perfect work of Christ. We are protected from pride, knowing that on our best days, we are no more righteous than on our worst days. We must confess every day that we are sinners in need of mercy and grace. And we are protected from despair, knowing that on our worst days, we are no less righteous that on our best days. We are ever safe in the arms of our Savior, who is “able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25).
John Bunyan describes this comforting truth in Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
But one day, as I was passing in the field, and that too with some dashes on my conscience, fearing lest yet all was notright, suddenly this sentence fell upon my soul, “Thy righteousness is in heaven.” Then it seemed to me that I saw, withthe eyes of my soul, Jesus Christ at God’s right hand. There, I say, is my righteousness; so that wherever I was, or whatever I was doing, God could not say of me, He wants my righteousness, for that was just before him. I also saw, moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor yet my bad frame that made my righteousness worse; for my righteousness was Jesus Christ Himself, the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, par. 229
Unchanging Righteousness
In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The LORD is our righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6 ESV).
There sits My Righteousness, Enthroned at God’s right hand: The perfect, spotless Lamb of God, In Him alone I stand. No better is my stand On days when all feels right, No worse when days are dark and gray, For nothing dims His light.
Unchanging Righteousness, My only hope and plea, That Jesus came and lived and bled And died and rose for me.
The Law cannot condemn, Since I in Christ abide. It sees His perfect work and is Completely satisfied. When God looks down on me, He sees no lack or need, For there in heaven, My Righteousness Does always intercede.
Unchanging Righteousness, My only hope and plea, That Jesus came and lived and bled And died and rose for me.
By imputation mine, Through faith in Christ alone, Enfolded in His righteousness That God has made my own. A never ending store, A bountiful supply! Each day the same, My Righteousness Exalted reigns on high.
Unchanging Righteousness, My only hope and plea, That Jesus came and lived and bled And died and rose for me. That Jesus came and lived and bled And died and rose for me.
Throughout the ages the church has confessed that there is One God in Three Persons. We declare it in our creeds:
“I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended into hell; On the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, The holy catholic church; The communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And life everlasting. Amen.”
The Apostle’s Creed
We affirm it in our confessions of faith:
“In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided: the Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son; all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependence on him.”
1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, 2:3
And we celebrate it in our songs. Below is a list of psalm settings, hymns, and spiritual songs that teach on the doctrine of the Trinity: One God in Three Persons. This List is from my Theological Index of Music for Worship. If you have additional suggestions for songs related to the doctrine of the Trinity that should be included in the index, please comment or send me a message.
Note: The songs are listed below by title and author. For more complete entries (including tunes and hymnal page numbers) see the page for Songs and the Trinity in the Theological Index of Music for Worship online. I will be updating the online Index with more songs and topics in the days ahead as I receive recommendations.
Songs and the Trinity: There is one God in Three Persons
All Creatures of Our God and King (St. Francis of Assisi / William H Draper)
Angels from the Realms of Glory (James Montgomery)
Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (Latin Hymn – 7th C / J M Neale)
Come Praise and Glorify (Bob Kauflin / Tim Chester) • Sovereign Grace Music
Come, Thou Almighty King (Anonymous)
God, Our Father, We Adore Thee (G W Frazer / A S Loizeaux)
Holy God, We Praise Your Name—Te Deum(Anonymous / I Franz / C Walworth)
Holy, Holy, Holy (Reginald Heber)
Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now (Anonymous / Catherine Winkworth)
We Believe—Apostles Creed (Keith and Kristyn Getty / Stuart Townend)
2. The work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Creation
All Creatures of Our God and King (St. Francis of Assisi / William H Draper)
Holy, Holy, Holy (Reginald Heber)
Of the Father’s Love Begotten (Prudentius / J M Neale / H Baker)
We Believe—Apostles Creed (Keith and Kristyn Getty / Stuart Townend)
3. The work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Salvation
All Glory Be to Thee Most High—Gloria in Excelsis (Latin Hymn)
Behold, My Soul (Ken Puls) to DUANE STREET • Ken Puls Music
Come Praise and Glorify (Bob Kauflin / Tim Chester) • Sovereign Grace Music
God, Our Father, We Adore Thee (G W Frazer / A S Loizeaux)
Heavenly Father, Beautiful Son (Mark Altrogge) • Sovereign Grace Music
Vast the Immensity, Mirror of Majesty (Edmund Clowney)
Only Jesus (Doug Plank) • Sovereign Grace Music
Savior of the Nations, Come (Ambrose of Milan / M Luther / W M Reynolds)
There Is a Redeemer (Melody Green)
We Believe—Apostles Creed (Keith and Kristyn Getty / Stuart Townend)
Wonderful, Merciful Savior (Dawn Rogers / Eric Wyse)
4. Prayer to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
All Glory Be to Thee Most High—Gloria in Excelsis (Latin Hymn)
Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word (Tobias Clausnitzer / Catherine Winkworth)
Come, Thou Almighty King (Anonymous)
God, Our Father, We Adore Thee (G W Frazer / A S Loizeaux)
Heavenly Father, Beautiful Son (Mark Altrogge) • Sovereign Grace Music
Holy God, We Praise Your Name—Te Deum(Anonymous / I Franz / C Walworth)
Holy, Holy, Holy (Reginald Heber)
Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word (Martin Luther / Catherine Winkworth)
O God, We Praise Thee—Te Deum (Anonymous – 5th C)
Only Jesus (Doug Plank) • Sovereign Grace Music
Wonderful, Merciful Savior (Dawn Rogers / Eric Wyse)
5. Praise and adoration to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
All Creatures of Our God and King (St. Francis of Assisi / William H Draper)
Alleluia! Alleluia! (Christopher Wordsworth)
Angels from the Realms of Glory (James Montgomery)
Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word (Tobias Clausnitzer / Catherine Winkworth)
Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (Latin Hymn – 7th C / J M Neale)
Come Praise and Glorify (Bob Kauflin / Tim Chester) • Sovereign Grace Music
Come, Thou Almighty King (Anonymous)
Doxology (Thomas Ken)
God, Our Father, We Adore Thee (G W Frazer / A S Loizeaux)
Holy God, We Praise Your Name—Te Deum(Anonymous / I Franz / C Walworth)
Holy, Holy, Holy (Reginald Heber)
Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now (Anonymous / Catherine Winkworth)
O God, We Praise Thee—Te Deum (Anonymous – 5th C)
Of the Father’s Love Begotten (Prudentius / J M Neale / H Baker)
Savior of the Nations, Come (Ambrose of Milan / M Luther / W M Reynolds)
The God of Abraham Praise (Thomas Olivers)
Wonderful, Merciful Savior (Dawn Rogers / Eric Wyse)
For more complete entries (including tunes and hymnal page numbers) see the online Index:
Below is a list of psalm settings, hymns, and spiritual songs that teach on the doctrine of Scripture: Special Revelation. The songs are arranged under 17 theological statements, including one for which I have not yet found related songs
If you have additional suggestions for songs related to the doctrine of Scripture that should be included in the index, please comment or send me a message.
Note: The songs are listed below by title and author. For more complete entries (including tunes and hymnal page numbers) see the page for Songs and God’s Word in the Theological Index of Music for Worship online. I will be updating the online Index with more songs and topics in the days ahead as I receive recommendations.
This is the first of what I hope to be many posts exploring the connection between music for worship and the study of theology. Below is a list of psalm settings, hymns, and spiritual songs that teach on the doctrine of creation: natural revelation. The songs are arranged under 16 theological statements, including 5 statements for which I have not yet found related songs.
If you have additional suggestions for songs related to the doctrine of creation that should be included in the index, please comment or send me a message.
Note: The songs are listed below by title and author. For more complete entries (including tunes and hymnal page numbers) see the page for “Songs and God’s Creation” in Theology and Song: A Theological Index of Music for Worship online. I will be updating the online Index with more songs and topics in the days ahead as I receive recommendations.
Songs and God’s Creation: Natural Revelation
1. Creation affirms that there is a Creator—God created heaven and earth
All Things Bright and Beautiful (Cecil F Alexander)
Before Jehovah’s Awful Throne—Psalm 100 (Isaac Watts / John Wesley)
God, the Lord, a King Remaineth—Psalm 93 (John Keble)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Thomas Obediah Chisholm)
Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah—Psalm 146 (The Psalter, 1912)
Hast Thou Not Known, Hast Thou Not Heard (Isaac Watts)
I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Isaac Watts)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis • Welsh melody)
The Spacious Firmament on High (Joseph Addison)
This Is My Father’s World (Maltbie Babcock)
Vast the Immensity, Mirror of Majesty (Edmund Clowney)
With Glory Clad, With Strength Arrayed—Psalm 93 (Tate and Brady’s New Version)
Wondrous King, All-Glorious (Joachim Neander / William Schaefer)
2. Creation glorifies God—all things exist for His glory and praise
All Creatures of Our God and King (St. Francis of Assisi / William H Draper)
All Glory to You (Steve and Vikki Cook) • Sovereign Grace Music
All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
All that I Am I Owe to Thee—Psalm 134:14–24 (The Psalter, 1912)
Before Jehovah’s Awful Throne—Psalm 100 (Isaac Watts / John Wesley)
Behold Our God (Ryan, Jonathan & Meghan Baird / Stephen Altrogge) • Sovereign Grace Music
Exalt the Lord, His Praise Proclaim—Psalm 135 (The Psalter, 1912)
For the Beauty of the Earth (Folliott Sandford Pierpoint)
From All That Dwell Below the Skies—Psalm 117 (Isaac Watts)
God, the Lord, a King Remaineth—Psalm 93 (John Keble)
Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah—Psalm 146 (The Psalter, 1912)
I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Isaac Watts)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis • Welsh melody)
Of the Father’s Love Begotten (Prudentius / J. Neale / H. Baker)
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Joachim Neander / Catherine Winkworth)
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above (Jonann Schütz / Francis Cox)
The Spacious Firmament on High (Joseph Addison)
This Is My Father’s World (Maltbie Babcock)
With Songs and Honors Sounding Loud—Psalm 147 (Isaac Watts)
Wondrous King, All-Glorious (Joachim Neander / William Schaefer)
3. Creation testifies of God’s wisdom and design
All that I Am I Owe to Thee—Psalm 134:14–24 (The Psalter, 1912)
Hast Thou Not Known, Hast Thou Not Heard (Isaac Watts)
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Joachim Neander / Catherine Winkworth)
Vast the Immensity, Mirror of Majesty (Edmund Clowney)
4. The testimony of creation is insufficient for knowing the way of salvation.
Vast the Immensity, Mirror of Majesty (Edmund Clowney)
5. The testimony of creation leaves man inexcusable
—
6. God delights in creation—all things were made for His pleasure
All Glory to You (Steve and Vikki Cook) • Sovereign Grace Music
Vast the Immensity, Mirror of Majesty (Edmund Clowney)
7. God made all of creation and pronounced it good
I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Isaac Watts)
8. The world was spoken into existence by God’s Word.
I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Isaac Watts)
Of the Father’s Love Begotten (Prudentius / J. Neale / H. Baker)
Vast the Immensity, Mirror of Majesty (Edmund Clowney)
9. The world was created by God ex nihilio (out of nothing).
—
10. The world continues to be upheld and sustained by God
All Things Bright and Beautiful (Cecil F Alexander)
Exalt the Lord, His Praise Proclaim—Psalm 135 (The Psalter, 1912)
Forever Settled in the Heavens—Psalm 119:89–97 (The Psalter, 1912)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Thomas Obediah Chisholm)
Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah—Psalm 146 (The Psalter, 1912)
Hast Thou Not Known, Hast Thou Not Heard (Isaac Watts)
I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Isaac Watts)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis • Welsh melody)
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above (Jonann Schütz / Francis Cox)
With Glory Clad, With Strength Arrayed—Psalm 93 (Tate and Brady’s New Version)
With Songs and Honors Sounding Loud—Psalm 147 (Isaac Watts)
11. God creates all people—He is the One who gives and sustains all life.
All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis • Welsh melody)
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Joachim Neander / Catherine Winkworth)
12. God created man (male and female) out of the dust of the earth
Before Jehovah’s Awful Throne—Psalm 100 (Isaac Watts / John Wesley)
13. Man was breathed into a living being by God.
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14. God made man (male and female) in His own image
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15. God gave man dominion over all other living things on the earth.
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16. God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.
Today We Gather in This Place (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
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The next post in the series will be “Songs and God’s Word: Special Revelation.”
For more complete entries (including tunes and hymnal page numbers) see the Theological Index of Music and Worship online:
Music and theology have always been closely entwined. Theology (in the broadest sense) encompasses what we understand to be true about God, His Word, and the world He has made. Music, as it comes alongside theology, helps the church say and celebrate in song what it believes and affirms to be true.
God’s people have been writing music for thousands of years. Beginning with the rich wellspring of the psalms, music has served the church to carry the voice of God’s people in praise, prayer, and proclamation. Within the many settings of psalms, and numerous hymns and spiritual songs is an opulent banquet of truth. For those who are willing to search, there are many savory delights to be found.
Unfortunately many churches miss out on this feast of song. Some shy away from doctrinally rich lyrics and prefer instead those that are lighter and more subjective. Some, despite Paul’s paradigm in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16, exhorting the church to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, impose a more narrow interpretation: “only the psalms,” “only the old hymns that have stood the test of time,” or “only what is new, contemporary, and speaks to me today.” Some are content to sing a limited number of favorites. Others select music based on emotional appeal or a catchy melody, rather than theological soundness.
In this new series, Theology and Song, I hope to encourage pastors and musicians to think theologically about music in worship. Each post will focus on a specific theological topic and will feature a portion of my Theological Index of Church Music.
I began the Index 26 years ago (in 1993) as a project for one of my PhD seminars when I was at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The index listed 350 psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and arranged them according to the theological truths that they highlight. It proved especially valuable in ministry for planning worship and selecting music that would underscore the sermon. You can read more about the Index in an earlier article: “Selecting Music for Worship—Know Theology.”
As I post this series on my blog, I will be updating and expanding the Index so I can make it available on my website as a resource for worship leaders. My list of songs will certainly not be exhaustive. I’ll be asking for your suggestions and adding songs (as well as more topics) to the Index in the days ahead.
Here is list of some of the upcoming topics: [updated]
Songs and God’s Creation (Natural Revelation) Songs and God’s Word (Special Revelation) Songs and the Trinity (One God in Three Persons) Songs and Knowing God (God’s knowability and Incomprehensibility) Songs and God’s Presence (God’s Immanence and Transcendence) Songs and God’s Sovereignty Songs and God’s Decrees Songs and God’s Will
